Foldable luminaire

ABSTRACT

The reflector part of the luminaire is made in sections hinged to the main housing. Each section is foldable from a first extended operative position in which the sections project rearwardly away from the reflector opening to a second position in which all of the sections are located close to the plane of the opening of the reflector.

United States Patent I .Filed lnventors Joseph N. Tawil Woodland Hills;

George R. Hartz, Canoga Park; Edmund F. Walsh, Reseda, Calif.

Sept. 26, 1969 May 18,1971

Berkey/Colortran Mtg., Inc.

Burbank, Calif.

Appl. No.

Patented Assignee FOLDABLE LUMINAIRE 8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 240/36, 240/l.3, 240/3, 240/4l.35, 240/41.36, 240/103 Int. ClF2lv 7/18 Field of Search 240/3. 1 6.4,10.5,36,46.27,41.35,41.36,103-,103(A), 46.09,44.1,44, 3,4l.1, 1.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,059,371 4/1913 Kelley240/36X 1,765,957 6/1930 Westphalen... 240/36 2,652,744 9/1953 Goldberg240/41 35X 2,876,337 3/1959 Fischer 240/36X 3,140,053 7/1964 Lowell240/l.3

. Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant Examiner-T. A. MauroAttorney-F lam and Flam ABSTRACT: The reflector part of the luminaire ismade in sections hinged to the'main housing. Each section is foldablefrom a first extended operative position in which the sections projectrearwardly away from the reflector opening to a second position in whichall of the sections are located close to the plane of the opening of thereflector.

Patented May 18, 1971 3,578,965

5 Sheets-Sheet l Geo/ 2 65 12. 672 rz EDMUND 1-. M45

FOLDABLE LUMINAIRE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toa luminaire intended primarily for use in a television or motion picturestudio. Seemingly an infinite variety and infinite number of luminairesmust be available for all contingencies. The penalty for lightingcapacity and versatility is inadequate storage space. Transportinglighting equipment from remote storage is not an acceptable solution.

The need for compact studio lighting equipment gas been long felt.

Certain equipment, such as high-intensity spots of floods,

have been made more compact of late by the recently popularizedquartz-iodine lamps. Other equipment, for example, equipment designed toproduce a soft light, necessarily requires a very large reflector inconjunction with an indirect light source in order to avoid harshshadows or lighting contrasts These soft lights accordingly are bulky.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a knockdown orfoldable luminaire so that its storage size is about halved while thetime necessary for setting it up is virtually nil. At the same time, asmall size is not unwelcome when the need for shipment arises.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION For these purposes, we provide an arrangement inwhich the I reflector, instead of being a one-piece device, is made insections. Each section is hingedly connected to the housing to move froma compact folded position to an extended position in which the sectionscomplement each other to form an operative reflector. Simple latchmechanisms positively secure all of the movable reflector elements bothin the open operative position and in the closed position,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A detailed description of theinvention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.These drawings, unless described as diagrammatic or unless otherwiseindicated, are to scale. The description of the invention is of the bestpresently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. Thisdescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

- FIG. I is a front pictorial view of luminaire incorporating thepresent invention,.the reflector elements being shown in operativeposition.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the luminaire takenalong a plane corresponding to line 2 2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear pictorial view similar to FIG. 1 but showing thereflector elements in closed position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2, taken along aplane corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and showing the reflectorelements in closed or folded position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view taken along a planeindicated by line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on an offset plane indicatedby line 6-6 of FIG. 2 to shown one of the top latch structure at theleft-hand side and one of the bottom latch structure at the right-handside.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 6, taken along anoffset plane corresponding to line 7-7 of FIG. 2 to show one of the toplatch structures at the left-hand side and one of the bottom latchstructures at the right-hand side.

FIG. 8 is an enlargedetail view of the area indicated by the numeral 8in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Two large elements 6 and 8 together define, intheir operative position, a generally semicylindrical reflector with itsaxis horizontal. These and companion end elements of the reflector aresupported by a shallow rectangular housing. The inner surfaces of theelements 6 and 8 may be finished in any suitable manner to provide thedesired reflecting characteristics.

The housing is formed primarily by sheet metal sidewall members 14 and16. Suitable bearing brackets on the outside of the sidewall memberscooperate with a yoke 18 whereby the housing may be angularly movedabout a horizontal axis. The yoke 18 in turn is mounted on a standard20.

The bottom frame member 16 is a generally U-shaped, upwardly openingchannel. The side frame members 10 and 12 are in the form of shallowchannels (FIGS. 6 and 7). The top frame member 14 is an L-shaped brackethaving a flange 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that extends downwardly along therear of the housing. Front walls of flanges 26 and 28 of the side framemember (FIG. I) carry channel brackets 30 and 32 that slidablyaccommodate scrims, filters or the like.

In the present instance, the luminaire is designed to provide a soft"light. This is achieved by directing light rearwardly against thereflector elements 6 and 8 from a source shielded from the fieldintended to be illuminated. For this purpose, high-intensity lamps 34are mounted in the lower channel 16 by suitable bracket structures.Small parabolic reflectors 36 define a radiation pattern directedupwardly and rearwardly of the reflector housing to be intercepted bythe reflector elements 6 and 8. The elements 6 and 8 redirect theradiation pattern forwardly through the rectangular opening defined bythe luminaire housing.

The top edge 38 of the upper reflector element 6 is mounted to swingalong an axis located at the front edge of the top housing member- 14.For this purpose, a hinge 42 is provided. The lower end of the lowerreflector element 8 is mounted to swing along the upper edge of the rearwall 46 of the channel 16. The distal edges 48 and 50 of the reflectorelements overlap near the center of the reflector when the elements 6and 8 are swung rearwardly to operative position of FIG. 2. Thereflector elements 6 and 8 may be folded inwardly to the position ofFIG. 4 just forwardly of the rear edges of the frame members 10, 12,14and 16.

The ends of the semicylindrical reflector elements 6 and 8 when inoperative position are closed in part by the sidewalls l0 and 12. Flaps52 and 54 form rearward extensions of the sidewalls and complete thelateral enclosure. These flaps are attached along the rear edges of theside frame members 10 and 12 by hinges 56 and 58 (FIGS. 4,5 and 6). Theflaps and sidewalls form elements of the reflector, functioning in thisinstance to confine the reflector aperture to the frontal opening of thehousing.

When the main curved reflector elements 6 and 8 are positioned inwardlyas shown in FIG. 4, the flaps 52 and 54 can be folded over as shown inFIGS. 3, 5 and 6 to provide a compact arrangement in which no partprojects rearwardly of the housing provided by the frame members.Suitable latch mechanisms and stopes serve releasably to hold thereflector elements 6, 8, 52 and 54 both in the open position of FIGS. 1and 2 and the closed position of FIGS. 3 and 4.

For this purpose, two similar sliding latches are mounted respectivelyat the sides of the top reflector element 6 and two similar slidinglatch elements are mounted respectively at the sides of the bottomreflector element 8. One of the top latch assemblies 60 is shown inFIGS. 5, 6 and 7. It includes a clevis 62 attached to the rear of theelement 6. Ears 64 and 66 of the clevis slidably mount a latch bar 68. Acompression spring 70 surrounds the bar 68 and is located between one ofthe cars 64 and an intermediate stop collar 72 carried by the latch bar.The spring 70 urges the latch bar in a direction outwardly past the sideedge of the reflector element 6. A finger piece 74 projects laterallyfrom the latch bar 68 and serves as a means for operating the latch. Inthe open position, the projecting end of the latch bar 68 cooperateswith an elongated slot 76 in the flap 52 (FIGS. 2 and 7) and accordinglycomes to rest' on the lower horizontal edge of the slot. A hook end 78of the latch bar interlocks the flap 52 to hold it against the side edgeof the reflector element 6. The latch bar is moved angularly to positionthe hook end in and out of alignment with the slot 76.

In the folded position, the latch bar 68 (FIGS. 4 and 6) cooperates withan elongated slot 80 in a bracket 82 attached to the inside of thechannel provided by the side frame member. The companion latch structurefor the upper reflector element operates in a similar manner.

The latch structures for the lower reflector element 8 are generallysimilar. However, these latch structures serve to hold the flaps inclosed position whereas the latch structures carried by the topreflector element 6 hold the flaps in open position. One of the lowerlatch structures 84 is shown in FIGS. 4, 5. 6 and 7.

The latch structure 84 includes a latch bar 86 (FIGS. 6 and 7) mountedby a clevis 88 attached to the rear of the reflector element 8 near itsside edge. A coil spring 90 engages an abutment 92 on the latch bar andprojects the latch bar outwardly so that one end engages a circularopening 94 in the corresponding flap 54 in the open position of FIG. 7.In the closed position, this end of the latch bar engages a circularopening 96 in the lower portion of the bracket 82 (FIG. 6).

The other end of the latch bar 80 projects a substantial distance beyondthe clevis 88. This end mounts a hook 98 that serves as a handle forretracting the latch bar and, additionally, as a means for holding theflap in the closed position of FIG. 6.

The lower edge of the lower reflector element 8 projects beyond thehinge 44 and into the channel 16. This projecting part moves to engagestops 100 carried by opposite side members. By so stopping the movementof the lower reflector element 8, its upper edge 50 never moves out ofthe circle described by the lower edge 48 of the upper reflector element6. Accordingly, the lower reflector element 8 forms a stop for the upperreflector element and there is thus no possibility of the parts beingmoved too far rearwardly which might cause damage or improper latchalignment.

The latch mechanisms are easily operated. All of the components arefirmly latched in position, both in the closed and open positions. Inthe closed position, the luminaire is exceedingly compact.

We claim:

I. In a luminaire for studio lighting or the like:

a. a shallow housing defining a frontal reflector opening and a rearopening;

b. a plurality of individual reflector elements;

c. means movably mounting each reflector element on the housing topermit the element to project beyond said rear opening and to aretracted position in which the element does not project beyond saidrear opening;

d. said reflector elements when projected rearwardly together providinga reflector, and said reflector elements when retracted being inoverlapped relationship;

e. means mounting a source of illumination in the housing laterallybeyond said housing opening to be shielded from the field to beilluminated; means directing the illumination of said source to thecomposite reflector formed by said reflector elements when said elementsare in their rearward projected position; and

g. latch means for holding said reflector elements in projected andretracted positions.

2. The luminaire as set forth in claim 1 in which said housing issubstantially rectangular, there being a channel along one side of thehousing in which said source mounting means is located; a firstreflector element having an edge extending along the side of the rearhousing opening at said channel and pivoted thereto; a second reflectorelement having an edge extending along the side of said housing oppositesaid channel and pivoted thereto; the distal edges of said first andsecond reflector elements overlapping when in retracted position.

3. The luminaire as set forth in claim 2 in which third and fourthreflector elements have edges respectively extending along edges of therear opening at opposite ends of said channel, and forming flapsoverlying said first and second reflector elements when said elementsare in retracted position.

4. The luminaire as set forth in claim 3 in which said latch meanscomprises first latch bar means carried on the rear of said firstreflector element and cooperable with aperture means of the flaps andwith aperture means in the housing for holding said first reflectorelement in projected and retracted position; second latch bar meanscarried on the rear of said second reflector element and cooperable withaperture means of the flaps and with aperture means in the housing forholding said second reflector element in projected and retractedposition; one of said latch bar means having hook means for holding saidflaps in projected position; the other of said latch bar means havinghook means for holding said flaps in retracted position.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 together with stop means forlimiting projecting movement either of the first or second reflectorelement whereby its distal edge remains in the path of projectingmovement of the companion reflector element to form a stop therefor.

6. In a luminaire for studio lighting or the like:

a. top, bottom and side frame members connected together to form ashallow generally rectangular housing with a front opening and a rearopening;

b. said bottom frame member comprising a channel opening inwardly ofsaid housing;

c. bracket means for mounting lamps in said channel to be shieldedlaterally of said opening;

d. a first curved reflector element having a straight edge extendingalong the rear wall of said channel;

. hinge means pivotally connecting said first reflector element to saidrear wall of said channel so that said first reflector element isswingable from a retracted position in which said first reflectorelement is entirely within said housing to a second position in which atleast part of said first reflector element projects rearwardly of saidhousf. a second curved reflector element having a straight edgeextending along the front edge of the top frame member;

g. hinge means pivotally connecting said second reflector element tosaid front edge of said top frame member so that said second reflectorelement is swingable from a retracted position in which said secondreflector element is entirely within said housing to a second positionin which part of said first reflector element projects rearwardly ofsaid housing;

h. a pair of substantially flat third and fourth reflector elementshingedly connected respectively along the rear edge of the side framemembers for swinging movement from a retracted position in which saidflaps overlie said first and second reflector elements with said thirdand fourth reflector elements extending substantially in the plane ofthe rear opening of said housing, to a projected position in which saidflaps extending along the corresponding side edges of said first andsecond reflector elements when said first and second reflector elementsare projected; and

. means for determining the projected positions of said reflectorelements whereby said reflector elements together form an operative unitdirecting illumination through said front opening of said housing.

7. The luminaire as set forth in claim 6 together with a first pair oflatch bars carried by said first reflector element at the rear surfacethereof, and mounted respectively to project beyond the side edge ofsaid first reflector element; there being latching apertures in saidflaps and latching apertures in said housing to hold said firstreflector element in projected and retracted positions respectively; asecond pair of latch bars carried by said second reflector element atthe rear surface thereof, and mounted respectively to project beyond theside edges of said second reflector element; there being latchingapertures in said flaps and latching apertures in said housing to holdsaid second reflector element in projected and retracted positionsrespectively; one or more of said latch bars having hook means forsecuring said third and fourth reflector elements in projected and Itt'acted positions.

8. The luminaire as set forth in claim 7 together with stop meanslimiting the projecting movement of said first and second reflectorelements.

1. In a luminaire for studio lighting or the like: a. a shallow housingdefining a frontal reflector opening and a rear opening; b. a pluralityof individual reflector elements; c. means movably mounting eachreflector element on the housing to permit the element to project beyondsaid rear opening and to a retracted position in which the element doesnot project beyond said rear opening; d. said reflector elements whenprojected rearwardly together providing a reflector, and said reflectorelements when retracted being in overlapped relationship; e. meansmounting a source of illumination in the housing laterally beyond saidhousing opening to be Shielded from the field to be illuminated; f.means directing the illumination of said source to the compositereflector formed by said reflector elements when said elements are intheir rearward projected position; and g. latch means for holding saidreflector elements in projected and retracted positions.
 2. Theluminaire as set forth in claim 1 in which said housing is substantiallyrectangular, there being a channel along one side of the housing inwhich said source mounting means is located; a first reflector elementhaving an edge extending along the side of the rear housing opening atsaid channel and pivoted thereto; a second reflector element having anedge extending along the side of said housing opposite said channel andpivoted thereto; the distal edges of said first and second reflectorelements overlapping when in retracted position.
 3. The luminaire as setforth in claim 2 in which third and fourth reflector elements have edgesrespectively extending along edges of the rear opening at opposite endsof said channel, and forming flaps overlying said first and secondreflector elements when said elements are in retracted position.
 4. Theluminaire as set forth in claim 3 in which said latch means comprisesfirst latch bar means carried on the rear of said first reflectorelement and cooperable with aperture means of the flaps and withaperture means in the housing for holding said first reflector elementin projected and retracted position; second latch bar means carried onthe rear of said second reflector element and cooperable with aperturemeans of the flaps and with aperture means in the housing for holdingsaid second reflector element in projected and retracted position; oneof said latch bar means having hook means for holding said flaps inprojected position; the other of said latch bar means having hook meansfor holding said flaps in retracted position.
 5. The combination as setforth in claim 4 together with stop means for limiting projectingmovement either of the first or second reflector element whereby itsdistal edge remains in the path of projecting movement of the companionreflector element to form a stop therefor.
 6. In a luminaire for studiolighting or the like: a. top, bottom and side frame members connectedtogether to form a shallow generally rectangular housing with a frontopening and a rear opening; b. said bottom frame member comprising achannel opening inwardly of said housing; c. bracket means for mountinglamps in said channel to be shielded laterally of said opening; d. afirst curved reflector element having a straight edge extending alongthe rear wall of said channel; e. hinge means pivotally connecting saidfirst reflector element to said rear wall of said channel so that saidfirst reflector element is swingable from a retracted position in whichsaid first reflector element is entirely within said housing to a secondposition in which at least part of said first reflector element projectsrearwardly of said housing; f. a second curved reflector element havinga straight edge extending along the front edge of the top frame member;g. hinge means pivotally connecting said second reflector element tosaid front edge of said top frame member so that said second reflectorelement is swingable from a retracted position in which said secondreflector element is entirely within said housing to a second positionin which part of said first reflector element projects rearwardly ofsaid housing; h. a pair of substantially flat third and fourth reflectorelements hingedly connected respectively along the rear edge of the sideframe members for swinging movement from a retracted position in whichsaid flaps overlie said first and second reflector elements with saidthird and fourth reflector elements extending substantially in the planeof the rear opening of said housing, to a projected position in whichsaid flaps extending along the corresponding side edges of sAid firstand second reflector elements when said first and second reflectorelements are projected; and i. means for determining the projectedpositions of said reflector elements whereby said reflector elementstogether form an operative unit directing illumination through saidfront opening of said housing.
 7. The luminaire as set forth in claim 6together with a first pair of latch bars carried by said first reflectorelement at the rear surface thereof, and mounted respectively to projectbeyond the side edge of said first reflector element; there beinglatching apertures in said flaps and latching apertures in said housingto hold said first reflector element in projected and retractedpositions respectively; a second pair of latch bars carried by saidsecond reflector element at the rear surface thereof, and mountedrespectively to project beyond the side edges of said second reflectorelement; there being latching apertures in said flaps and latchingapertures in said housing to hold said second reflector element inprojected and retracted positions respectively; one or more of saidlatch bars having hook means for securing said third and fourthreflector elements in projected and retracted positions.
 8. Theluminaire as set forth in claim 7 together with stop means limiting theprojecting movement of said first and second reflector elements.